Our regular, rapid testing for Covid-19
Today's Friday Feature takes a look at how staff from each of our directorates formed a project team, and within just a few weeks have:
- identified and transformed Islington sites into fully-equipped Covid-19 testing centres
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recruited and trained 120 staff to deliver this important programme
-
tested 12,600 people.
Hear from colleagues who have gone from pulling pints to putting on PPE, and find out how, where and why frontline staff should get tested!
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How we manage the high demand
Within hours of the first site opening up in Islington Assembly Hall on 17 December, a (socially-distanced, of course!) queue for these rapid, non-symptom tests had formed, even though we'd done nothing to promote it! The webpage on the council's website had over 18,000 views in its first month alone!
Karen Lucas, who moved over from Housing to support the roll-out, tells us more about the drive to get the programme up and running so quickly:
"We know that around one in three people with Covid doesn’t have any symptoms and can be passing on the virus without realising. By testing more, we can identify and support infectious people to isolate before they'd otherwise know. So it's another way, on top of other measures, that we can help reduce spread and protect the vulnerable."
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She also explains how, although it's available for the general community, we're taking a more targeted approach and reiterating the 'stay home' message for our residents during the national lockdown:
"It's primarily for critical workers who live and work in Islington, and that includes our own frontline staff, who we're encouraging to get tested regularly at the site closest to their workplace.
"I'm in awe at the pace at which the team has made it possible. It's a cast of many, but a particular shout-out to the genuinely amazing Gill James, the brilliant Borbala Isidahomen, the dedicated Dan Lawson, the very determined Donna Murphy, and the resourceful Robbie McDonald!"
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From sound checks to swab tests!
With our very own live music and events venue, Islington Assembly Hall (IAH), having been transformed into the first site, Assistant Bars and Duty Manager, Sam Burton, was appointed as Team Leader. He quickly got to grips with the job in hand – energising, engaging, motivating and managing his new team, made up of sessional bar staff from IAH, newly recruited agency workers and staff from other parts of the council, whose normal roles have been affected by the pandemic and/or who are keen to get paid for shifts outside of their usual working hours.
 Sam tells us how it means he's not been as impacted by the pandemic as many of his friends in the live event and bar industries:
"I've felt very fortunate to be in this position and to have been offered this opportunity. It would be amazing to be putting gigs on again, and I kind of feel that with all of the testing and other work we're doing, I'm helping, in part, to get us to get back to some form of normality.
"I know the team feel lucky, too, and are very appreciative to be working here. Obviously, being able to still have a job and get paid was important for them and something they'd been worried about, but it's not just about that ... to be working to better the situation is a great feeling. It's a positive atmosphere in the team and there's a real feeling that we're in it together to make a difference."
Varez White, one of the IAH sessional workers, pictured (far right) with Sam, says: "In my line of work, we make our living in music, and we all want to be able to do that again. But, in my view, the more testing you can do, the more it helps, so I feel like I'm being of some assistance to the community. And we quickly realised once we got going that we have transferable skills, like queue management and keeping on top of stock, that have come in really handy! My family were a bit worried at first with me being on the frontline, but it is safe and everyone looks after themselves and each other."
Why get tested?
For James Walker, a manager in Housing, the introduction of the sites – and the booking system now in place that drastically reduced wait times in the early days – is fantastic news. He and his front-facing team are getting regularly tested. It gives them confidence to go about their jobs and gives them reassurance when they go home at the end of the day. Watch this short video to hear his experience of testing.
[We haven't been able to add subtitling in time for today's Friday Feature, but can arrange this for future use and in other videos.]
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When, where and how to get tested
Do get a Rapid (non-symptom) test if:
- you work in a frontline role with face-to-face interaction with vulnerable people or the public
and
- you do not have symptoms of coronavirus.
If you get a positive test result, please make sure you tell your line manager and follow the instructions given to you, to self-isolate at home.
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Do not get a Rapid (non-symptom) test if:
- you have symptoms of coronavirus – instead, tell your line manager and go / stay home and book a test via Gov.UK or by calling 119, even if this means you won't be able to do your job
and / or
- you have been instructed to self-isolate for any reason, including that you have been identified as a close contact, even if staying at home means you will not be able to do your usual job.
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Interested in working at a site?
With more sites due to open to help key workers in Islington to get regularly tested without having to travel, recruitment is an ongoing activity for the team. Sam explains: "When you start, you have an online induction session and online content from NHS covers a lot. You then go on site, get tested first, and have an online induction and do some shadowing." There are several roles available. Find out more and apply on izzi. For staff with no izzi access, email CovidStaffing@islington.gov.uk.
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Friday Feature.
Thank you to everyone involved in today's feature and in this programme of work.
We don't yet know the full impact of the pandemic on our communities, but we are committed to doing all we can to help stop the spread and to reduce inequality. The Rapid (non-symptom) testing programme is an example of collaborative, ambitious, resourceful work, with members of staff empowered and giving their best.
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